Analytical chemistry reveals binding affinity of streptomycin

The antibiotic streptomycin was the subject of recent analytical chemistry undertaken in India.

Researchers from the National JALMA Institute for Leprosy and Other Mycobacterial Diseases and the Indian Council of Medical Research collaborated on the study, which is printed in Proteome Science.

Their aim was to analyse and compare Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell extracts that were resistant or susceptible to streptomycin.

Using matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, the protein profiles of whole cell extracts were examined for each culture.

Many possible interactions were identified between the drug and its target, with high protein-binding affinity associated with streptomycin.

The researchers suggest that this could yield new target sites for the drug, extending its activity beyond the known primary action points on Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Proteome Science accepts manuscripts on all aspects of proteomics but is particularly interested in functional and structural analysis combined with developmental or cell biology.